More than 157 years ago, baby Elizabeth Jenette Bissell died in Joliet, Illinois. While it took more than 150 years to discover her final resting place, her gravestone will join those of the siblings she never knew in a small Iowa cemetery later this week.
I first wrote last month of the Internet connection that united Bissell family members in Iowa with Gina Wysocki in Illinois. That connection will result in the Bissell family adding baby Jenette’s gravestone to the family plot in Massena, Iowa, this Saturday, which marks the 159th anniversary of Jenette’s birth.
Young Jenette is believed to have died from cholera in March 1852. Her gravestone was discovered under three feet of dirt by Joliet city workers who were working on a children’s playground. It is believed that dozens – maybe hundreds – others are buried in the area where the gravestone was found.
Remains in the unmarked cemetery were undisturbed although city workers completed the children’s playground on the site. For more details on the story, check out the Chicago Tribune.
Meanwhile, Wysocki is looking forward to her meeting with her Iowa connection, Julie Bissell Tupker, this weekend.
“When Julie and I were planning the trip from both ends, the only date that we were both able to do it was on that weekend,” Wysocki said. “And, of course, the day of Jenette’s birthday!”
Writing prompt of the day: What’s the most exciting family history discovery you’ve made on the Internet?
Larry Lehmer is a professional personal historian who helps people preserve their family histories. To learn more, visit his web site, send him an e-mail or follow him on Twitter.
Larry, does this mean Baby Jenette's remains stay in Joliet under the playground but the stone will be in Iowa? Somehow that doesn't seem "right".
Posted by: Joanna | June 09, 2009 at 08:14 AM
According to the Chicago Tribune story, no one asked for any remains to be moved. Presumably this means that the playground now rests atop the remains of those who were buried there, including Baby Jenette.
Posted by: Larry Lehmer | June 09, 2009 at 08:46 AM
Since we knew the cemetery was in operation from 1833-1916, only a few hundred were documented, however, no one knows where they were buried. Knowing that her marker was found on top of her footstone, for an impression was found on the footstone, it was theorized that her stones were buried over one on top of the other. So, she may not have been beneath the tombstones, but buried somewhere on the hill. In addition, it would be disresptful to unearth the remains, not knowing who is who under the soil. Knowing this, what would be achieved by doing so? What would be the purpose? There is no way to link the tombstones to the individuals that may still rest in the cemetery, for the soil was disturbed to build the school in the late 1890's.
Posted by: Gina Wysocki | June 18, 2009 at 10:22 AM